Page 139 of Bonds of Fate

They lie there for a few long minutes while Rowan does his thinking, and Grayson enjoys the closeness that Rowan rarely doles out to anyone but Luca—and now, Nix.

“Hey, all this. You’re wining and dining Nix, eh?” Rowan is interested but trying not to sound like it. It’s fucking cute. Grayson isn’t fooled into thinking that Rowan has done all of his thinking, but he is glad the alpha at least smells calmer.

“I guess so. Do you think it’s too over the top?” It so fucking is, so why is he asking yet another person, especially one who will mock him for days? Grayson knows it’s every rom-com trope ramped up to a thousand and then some.

“Fuck, yeah, it is. But he’s going to love it. He’s a romantic…like you.” Well. Now, who’s damp-eyed? That’s unexpected. Rowan is rarely one for romantic compliments. “Do you think I should have done something like this?” There is self-doubt on his face, and he does not wear it well.

“Nix let you be his second bond out of all of us in that hallway. He wanted you so much he couldn’t wait, and he loves you just as much.” Grayson kisses the top of his hair and presses his nose in to smell the spicy scent of his shampoo.

“But if Iwantedto do something nice, like…what would I do…to…uh be romantic and shit?” Grayson hides his smile in thetop of Rowan’s head. “I can feel you smiling, Gray. Fuck you. I’m being vulnerable here.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay. Well, what I would do is think about something you know he likes or has always wanted or wanted to do, and then do that.” It’s good advice if he does say so himself—he only hopes he’s accomplished it tonight.

Rowan rubs his injured hand over his face and then nods. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Ro, we should put ice on your hand.”

“Hmm…like something he’s always wanted and has never had and then do that.” He’s on his feet in an instant, then bends over and kisses Grayson on the mouth so hard their teeth clack. “I’ll get Finn to look at it later. But—thanks, yeah?”

He’s out the door, and Grayson flops back on the bed, gratified to have dodged the teasing he’d expected.

“Oh, hey. Good luck tonight. I’m glad you didn’t break your dick when you fell earlier.” He throws Grayson a thumbs up and then slams the door, glass rattling.

Yeah, Grayson is glad, too, because he’s got two hours until he’s got to pick Nix up in his room.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Jay

Jay

Rewind

Jay leans against the end of the counter, waiting for Leo to finish with the florist. Leo might be the flower guy, but Jay still loves the mix of scents filling the shop.

They’d worked through Grayson’s surprisingly short list of date-night necessities at record speed—just the florist and caterer left.

They arrived half an hour ago, and now Leo is finally watching as the smiling florist carefully wraps his latest gift for Gideon, vase and all. It’s their thing. Leo picks flowers that reflect how he feels, and Gideon pretends not to think it’s the cutest fucking thing ever.

Today’s bundle includes peonies and roses. Leo never says what they mean, and as far as Jay knows, no one’s looked it up—except Gideon, of course.

“Nice choices today, babe.” Jay packs Grayson’s choice into the backseat before opening the door so his mate can climb in and hold his designed Gideon-tribute.

“You think? I wanted to cheer him on. He’s doing hard things, ya know?” His mate’s cheeks are pink, and he’s touching the petals of a deep red peony through the cellophane.

Yeah. Jay knows Gideon is doing hard things, and he is torn between being gratefulhedoesn’t have to do it and angry Gideon is doing it at all.

“He’ll love them, just like he always does. You’re so good, Leo.” The scent of the flowers overpowers Leo’s cinnamon inside the car, but Jay can tell his mate is pleased.

The next item on the list is a box from the local caterer, who loads the hot dishes and coolers into the trunk, and then they head home. It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon, so Jay pushes his dark thoughts away and tries to just be present with Leo.

“Hey, Jay? Should we call Dad later? About the Ripley thing? I checked the website and official media, and they’ve not put anything out. Do you think they’re waiting for us to make the first move?”

There goes his zen. Shit.

“Yeah. They’ve got a plan, but so do we, ya?” Jay grabs Leo’s hand over the console. “It’s going to be great. Let’s talk to Luc and Ro when we get home, and then call your dad.”

“I’m looking forward to being free.” His mate’s grin is so wide, and it’s been far too long since Jay has seen it.Freedomsounds good.

“Me, too.”

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